july prompts LETS GOOO

[iustaegis]

♥ Who: Pyra and You!
♥ Where: Around town.
♥ When: Starting after this post with the research towers and then following up throughout the month
♥ What: She has a bad time, then an okay time being effected by the power-limiting effect. also, she misses her job that she totally wasn't overqualified for.
♥ Rating: G so far

Crystal

[ Immediately following the attack on the research towers, Pyra doesn't expect to be let back into her place of work so easily, given the heightened security and the power-limiting effects it has on the place. But she had left a small plant she had been taking care of at her station, and had at least wanted to see if she could catch a coworker and ask them to bring it out of the building so she could care for it.

 Unfortunately, she hadn't expected that being so near to it would render her, effectively, powerless.

--To the point that she is instantly reverted to that of a crystal... that, at this time (for those who have ever encountered this crystal before) it isn't even glowing or hovering on its own!  Nope, it seems to be just a slate of crystal on the ground, inert and mute.

For her to be in this state, it is absolutely terrifying. ]

Crystal 2: Falling

[ Suddenly, there's a Pyra.

As it turns out, Horus had found her crystal form, picked her up and taken flight, and when he had left the perimeter and she reverted into her human-like form, immediately dropped her from the sky.

Hello, that is a Pyra that's falling, and may be falling on top of you if you don't happen to a) dodge or b) catch her. At least she's squishy? ]

Mid-month A

[ After managing to contact someone to ask to tweak the power-limiting abilities about the towers to at least allow herself to manifest a human form, she actually appears to be spending more time around the facility, even if barred from her position as the investigation continues, and... Her feelings about this are decidedly complex, and can be divided as such:
1. It would be quite scary, knowing that the locals have the power and authority to effectively flip a switch and render all abilities and technology, even her own, inert and ineffective.
2. However, in her case, she can see this as a very, very good and safe thing.
3. Nevertheless, she misses his coworkers, her work, and what she was able to do at the research towers. She misses what progress she had been making within the facility, as slow as it had been, and she misses sharing data of her own world to compare it to the samples of flora and fauna of this one. She misses all of which she had been privy to, and she misses her workstation, helping in the ways she can with the abilities she has to process data for those that work so tirelessly at towers with her. She misses....
4. No, this isn't pleasant. It hurts, in fact, she can't exactly describe what she's feeling beyond that.

As she sits on a bench, her tablet in hand with just a fraction of her research notes she's spared for personal use, she ends up sighing rather disappointedly, placing a hand to her cheek as she looks up and down the familiar buildings. By now the power-limiting effect only is up to the outside wall of the towers, so she's safer where she sits at a distance.  ]  Maybe next week...

Mid-month B

[ She can be seen chatting just outside the research towers' walls with one of the researchers at the towers-- a co-worker-- before they enter and she moves back further from the wall. From there, she places her lips together and whistles once, summon Horus, her falcon, to her, who swoops in to perch upon an outstretched arm.

To anyone nearby, they might hear her speak to the falcon as she pets over his neck. ] You're allowed to fly near these towers... but I bet if I flew the Regalia, she wouldn't have the same luck. [ Pyra glances back up at her workplace. It's not as if she nothing to do. She has her old house that she uses as a workshop as well-- and other projects, besides. ] I wonder how it works, that power-limiting field...

End-month

[ When she's at last let back into the research towers, she's in a bit of a considerably better mood!

...But when she exits the building, she might not look as bright or chipper as when she had entered. Being under such scrutiny, especially when she has been known to work with the perpetrators so closely before, isn't easy, and while her closer coworkers are understanding and sympathetic, she's still regarded warily by others. Wounds heal in due time, she reminds herself, and in the meantime, she's needn't be bothered by what she can't change. To help with that, she's adopted a new side project to make plush-toys of robots to help with the upcoming party.

So deep in her thoughts, she doesn't notice that she's walked right into you, and-- oops-- now you're stuck. ] Oh... sorry! I'm sorry. I didn't see you...

Wildcard

[ Have an idea for Pyra? HMU here with a surprise, PM me, drinksteapots or Jade294#6977 ! ]

Comments

Mid month, A

[dontcallmebro]

[Even if the power limiting near the towers stops, Cloud doubts he will be allowed back in. Not now that they know him as one of the people who broke in.

And being near it enough causes him to feel weaker. Probably because of the mako enhancements. Therefore, he stays a good distance away, not really caring from whatever looks he gets from the researchers going in.

When his eye catches Pyra sitting on the bench, looking forlorn. And her talking to herself confirms why.

He slowly goes up next to her, offering his hand.] I'd be surprised if they let anyone in that quickly.

Come on, sitting around here won't do you any good. [Might make her even more depressed.]

[iustaegis]

...Cloud?

[ She blinks, looking up at him with an expression that suggests she had been lost in thought, and her red eyes squint as the false sun above catches just beyond a spike of his blonde hair. ] Sorry, I--

[ She casts her eyes back at the tower, then down, shaking her head as if to wake herself further into reality, and finally looks back at him. Another-- ] Sorry. [ --escapes her, quieter this time, but although it takes her a moment to compose herself, her hand lifts up to take his. Her touch is warm, as always.

She stands, keeping her hand in his, although she doesn't appear to be as enthused as she'd usually be. Nevertheless, she seems to find it worthwhile to show that she's grateful for his presence: ] Thank you. [ She feels guilty, too. Really, who knows how long she'd be wasting her time here, miserable, when she could be holding someone's had to save this world?

At least she tries to make conversation. ] Just stopping by?

[dontcallmebro]

Was on my way to the shopping district. [And then he saw her.] Just happened to pass by here. [And without thinking, he turns toward the research tower, the place he sneaked into....and then everyone was punished....

His eyes hardened as he glared up at the tower...

Wait, he just told her she shouldn't be staring at the tower and now he was doing it himself. He turned back to her.] Let's get away from here. Is there anywhere you need to go?

[iustaegis]

[ Pyra's eyes raise to watch his expression, noticing how he angles his head towards the towers and... seems to be scrutinizing them.

Her own gaze drops by a few degrees. Others being against the locals-- friends, even-- is not new to her. He has every right to feel resentment towards them, to mistrust them. She doesn't, however, suspect him of any extremism.

But whereas before she might have been able to muster some sort of deflection, some sort of common ground, she can't muster any energy to bring a smile to her lips for him. Her hurt is too new to effectively brush away. ] Ah... [ She starts, then stops. Then starts again. ] No, I suppose not. [ She's unemployed, after all. ]

Let's just... walk, Cloud? [ She asks him, now looking back at him. There's a bit of plead in her voice, a quiet apology in her eyes, as if she's being a bother. ] Would that be okay?

[dontcallmebro]

[Cloud could buy the idea that most of the locals had good intentions. That maybe they truly wanted to restore the world and didn't have any ill intentions towards any of the guests. Like most of the employees working for Shinra thought they were working for the benefit of society and weren't aware of the organization's deeper, darker secrets such as human experimentation or their plan to destroy an entire district to get rid of a section of Avalanche.

It was because of that personal experience that Cloud cannot bring himself to trust whoever was responsible for kidnapping them. At least not until he has enough information to put his fears to rest.

He also felt that at least the majority of the guests who chose to trust the natives and whoever brought them here had good intentions. He had gotten to know Pyra well enough to realise she certainly did. And while he didn't regret breaking in and getting the information, he was sorry that she seemed to have gotten shat on for it as well.

He nodded, grasping her hand tighter to reassure her, first heading towards the direction of the fountain. It wasn't a particular destination - just to get far away from either of the towers.]

[iustaegis]

[ The further they move from the research towers, Pyra's body seems to physically become more relaxed the less of the depowering-effect it has on her. The glowing lines upon her garb being to take on an extra sheen, and the crystal set upon her chest returns to its previous lustrousness...

....He's being awfully silent. Perhaps, he's effected just as much as her?

Guilt crosses her expression, causing her brow to knit together as she glances at him. How rude of her, to be so preoccupied with her own troubles to not ask after him. ]

...How are you feeling? With-- everything that's going on lately. I hope no one has been treating you badly.

[ It's not all the locals, of course. Just enough to make things unpleasant. ]

[dontcallmebro]

[His own sword had become heavier and heavier as he had gotten closer to the tower. Maybe because the mako in his body counted as a power. He didn't know. Either way, it was a relief once he managed to get further and further away.

However, he stopped when she asked him that question. She hoped nobody was treating him badly. Well, the natives were pretty much being wary to all the guests at the moment. However, they were especially unfriendly to him. And probably Tony, Sephiroth and the others too.

He shrugged.] Could have been worse. [And technically, that was true. Sure, he ended up in jail for a week and he hated it. But it wasn't as if he was tortured or killed for it.]

Mid-month B

[silversoldier]

[ Sephiroth isn't doing anything nefarious back by the towers again. He's just come here to think about things. It seems he isn't the only one either. Sephiroth isn't shy about voicing his thoughts when he hears Pyra doing the same. He's standing nearby behind her and gazing up at the towers as if he could discern the answer just from that. ]

If we knew the answer to that it would make things much more simple.

[iustaegis]

[ A good number of mysteries are present in this world. A few of them have already been unraveled— although, it’s taken much work, diligence, patience, cooperation, and ongoing monitoring. Sometimes, it involves asking more questions. Sometimes, it involves still being left with more mysteries. Case in point, she’s left this particular one, again: of the how the locals are able to make such a field…

Her gaze falls from the towers to him, looking at his profile. His is a face she’s only seen once or twice, but she does recognize him. ]

Sephiroth, right? [ She offers her hand to take, a tired, but kind smile accompanying it. Bittersweet in some way, as if she’s trying to be her best when meeting someone she hasn’t seen in person for quite some time. ]

And you’re very right. It would be… But I think the way this world thrives from contact is infinitely more miraculous.

[silversoldier]

[ Sephiroth gazes at the hand being offered to him. It doesn't make a lot of sense and his confusion is probably apparent in his hesitation. The time he recalls interacting with her wasn't under the best of circumstances. At least, in his mind. He still feels uncomfortable thinking about what he did under Rawna's influence. So why would Pyra want to hold hands?

It's only after he takes in her words, truly processes what she is saying, that he extends his own and accepts the offer. ]

Yes.

[ Though what that is in reference to, Sephiroth doesn't clarify. He seems to be considering something. ]

[iustaegis]

[ When he takes her hand, she studies his expression intently, as if attempting to discern what thoughts might remain behind a steely mien and curt answer.

When it seems she can't, she simply cants her head to the side, an action that causes her hair to sway with the motion. A strand brushes at her cheek, but she makes no motion to correct it just yet. ]

Dora for your thoughts?

[silversoldier]

[ In truth, Sephiroth has spent so much time trying to increase his understanding of this place in order to further his aims that there are a lot of things he hasn't taken into consideration.

His gaze flicks from that stray hair to her eyes. ]

Miraculous? Is that truly how you see it?

[iustaegis]

[ Crimson meets green, and she holds his gaze for a few extra beats before-- at last, a soft 'hm' escapes her lips, and she lifts her hand to correct the strand to be behind her ear. Her head dips slightly as she responds. ]

Ah, well, I suppose it's bit of a poetic way to put it, mm?

crystal 1

[necromanswers]

[The days immediately following the attack has Lup keeping a healthy distance from the towers, usually, just because she hates the vibe of the depowering areas. She does kind of live down the road from one though, so sometimes it's unavoidable. She was ready to pass on by without giving it a second glance, but then she spotted something... shiny. What? Why's the tower steps got something glowing on it?

Venturing closer, she crouches down next to it, her head tilting left and right. Familiar... hasn't she seen this crystal before? Hm... oh, Pyra wears this sort of thing sometimes, doesn't she?

If it was for some rando, she might ditch it in a lost and found somewhere, but since Pyra seems to be a solid guess and they're chummy, Lup scoops up the crystal with the intention of carrying it over to Pyra's place. It's out of her way, but nothing ever really takes that long when you've got magic. (At least, when you have magic and are outside of a depowering tower's range.)]

Re: crystal 1

[iustaegis]

[ It will be a few steps past he radius of the depowering-field surrounding the towers that, quite suddenly, the crystal begins to hum and glow, illuminating with a teal-emerald light. Nothing else about it changes: it's neutral in temperate to touch, it's still the same shape--


But then, suddenly there's a burst of energy out from it, golden in color that quickly forms into a bright, sun-surfaced-patterned silhouette of a person. Less than a second later, another "shell" encompasses it completely, skin, clothes, hair, eyes, as if simply painted over the energy-structure-- it's Pyra.

Lup is now carrying a Pyra, if she hadn't dropped her already. ]

[necromanswers]

[Certainly not for long. She's a wizard, her strength is +0, so she's got nothing here. With an "oh, shit!" and a stumble Lup is dragged forward and down until they're both laid flat on the ground, Lup on her stomach, arms pinned beneath Pyra, at whom she blinks.]

Uh... what the fuck?

[That's... new.]

[iustaegis]

[ Pyra’s eyes are wide and panicked as she looks up at Lup, just as shocked at she is. Her mouth opens to speak, but then she stops herself to swallow, stumbling over a few syllables before she speaks. ]

H-…Hello, Lup! It’s nice seeing you, today…

[ It seems she’s doing her best effort to calm herself when she had been so unceremoniously turned into a crystal. Which— she can think about, only, not when she doesn’t feel so unsafe. ]

[necromanswers]

Uh-huh... I mean, I'd say likewise, but your ass literally just fell into my hands, so I'll be happier if it turns out you didn't break my digits on the concrete.

[Her dry tone is accompanied by wiggling (and not broken) fingers still trapped under Pyra's weight.]

[iustaegis]

[ Her cheeks flush pink, and as soon as Lup allows, Pyra quickly moves off of Lup’s hand and lifts herself up from the ground. ] Sorry, I—

That must have been unexpected, huh.

midmonth A

[shroudedsecrets]

[ For the most part, Honerva had been avoiding getting too close to the towers, even if there is one particularly nearby her home and Affurgato that's hard to avoid. The depowering effect isn't as suffocating as it once had been, but there's a measure of discomfort to it all the same.

It's a little surprising to see Pyra hanging out over here, though. ]

You seem as though you are waiting for something to occur.

[iustaegis]

[ Pyra's back straightens as she hears Honerva, and then she turns and smiles at her. It might be the same sort of smile to anyone else, but after all this time, Honerva may be likely to tell that it seems that she's struggling to do so with the same amount of enthusiasm as before. ]

Oh... does it really? [ She comments, tone slightly airy. ]

I suppose I was lost in thought.

[shroudedsecrets]

Then, perhaps you may consider it a matter for that phrase... was it, "Dora for your thoughts"?

[ Pyra well knows that Honerva does not like being intrusive, but there is a difference between pushing boundaries and concern that one might have for another. ]

[iustaegis]

[ Dora for your thoughts...

She had asked that to someone just earlier, didn't she?

Pyra's chest rises and falls with a sigh. (Funny, she thinks to herself, how she can mimics such reactions without having lungs.) ] What I'm thinking is...

That this will pass. I only need to wait it out. And then... things will go back to normal.

[ But... But. Something unsatisfying lingers, and she can't quite place what. ]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Easy enough to tell there was uncertainty in that response, though without context, Honerva can't be too certain where it lies. So she instead takes a seat near Pyra, giving a slight tilt of her head. ]

"Back to normal?"

[iustaegis]

Well... yes. [ She replies, her gaze tired but hopeful. ] I'll be able to work where I work again, and continue helping with research. But in the meantime...

[ Pyra extends her out to Honerva to take. ]